Acts 8:9

7 With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.

8 So there was great joy in that city.

Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great,

10 and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.”

11 They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great,
KJV
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
WEB
But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one,
ASV
But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
DARBY
But a certain man, by name Simon, had been before in the city, using magic arts, and astonishing the nation of Samaria, saying that himself was some great one.
BLB
Now a certain man named Simon had been formerly practicing sorcery in the city and amazing the people of Samaria, declaring himself to be someone great,
ÅB
Men der var en mann ved navn Simon, som før hadde gitt seg av med trolldom i byen og satt folket i Samaria i den største forundring, for han sa seg selv å være stor;
OTB
Nå var det en mann ved navn Simon, som tidligere hadde drevet med trolldom i byen og forbløffet folket i Samaria, og hevdet at han var noe stort.
B1930
Men der var en mann ved navn Simon, som før hadde gitt sig av med trolldom i byen og satt folket i Samaria i den største forundring, for han sa sig selv å være stor;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Acts 13:6

    They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,

    Read in context
  • John 7:18

    He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood.

    Read in context
  • Acts 5:36

    Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 8:18–19

    The magicians tried to produce gnats using their magic arts, but they could not. And the gnats remained on man and beast.

    Read in context
  • Acts 19:18–20

    Many who had believed now came forward, confessing and disclosing their deeds.

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 20:6

    Whoever turns to mediums or spiritists to prostitute himself with them, I will also set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.

    Read in context
  • Acts 8:11

    They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 7:11

    But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts.

    Read in context